Outgoing EU Council president Donald Tusk has been elected new leader of the European People's Party at the party's congress in Zagreb.

The new leader said he is ready to fight “for Christian-Democratic European values and against populism.”

EU concerned over enlargement policy

During the first day of the Congress, most of the delegates focused on the discussion of EU enlargement prospects, in particular in the light of the EU Council decision not to start talks with the North Macedonia and Albania  because of France's position on the need to introduce additional rules of European integration.

“The existing framework already has mechanisms to control, with very specific filters, even the tiniest step in any chapter,” Croatian PM Andrey Plenkovic told reporters. “It's necessary to clearly distinguish between the opening of negotiations and the negotiation process that is under way.”

He emphasized that it is necessary to clear distinguish between the opening of negotiations and the negotiation process

Bilateral contacts

Head of Croatian government held a number of bilateral meetings. However, the focus was his meeting with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

As mentioned by Merkel, during the presidency of the EU Council Germany will pay attention to Croatia’s progress in getting closer to being a part Schengen area.

EPP Congress

The EPP party congress will last till November 21 inclusive with the key events are held in the Zagreb Arena complex. Delegates discuss the prospects for EU enlargement at the expense of the Western Balkans, climate issues and youth policy in the EU.

To ensure the safety of a large party congress in Zagreb, the presence of law enforcement officials has been strengthened. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic, more than 500 police officers were involved, including for special traffic regulation in connection with the arrival of high-ranking guests.